Page 122 of The Redemption
The reality of my situation sinks in hard.
It reminds me that no matter how far I had wanted to run, I still ended up trapped insidehisworld,hisname, andhiscontrol.
CHAPTER 24
SIYA
Shivtara Valley, Himachal Pradesh
The private jet finally lands at Kangra Airport close to midnight. The cold Himachal air hits my face the moment we step back onto Indian soil. My body feels numb from exhaustion after the long flight from Cape Town. Mom looks equally drained beside me. The events of the night have left her emotionally shattered.
And me?I still feel like I’m still living a nightmare I cannot wake up from.
Once we enter the private immigration corridor, I switch off aeroplane mode on my phone, and it vibrates almost instantly in my hand. It’s a message from Trisha.
‘I’m sorry, Siya. I swear I had no ideaRaghav was coming to Vardhaan Mansion himself. I never imagined he would do something like this. I couldn’t keep the promise I made to you. But in such a short time, you’ve really become someone I care about, and I don’t want to lose that just because of Raghav… or because of something that was never in my control. Please call me… let’s talk.’
I stare at the message for a long moment before locking my phone again and slipping it back into my pocket withoutreplying. Right now, I really don’t know whom to blame anymore for what happened.
Outside the airport terminal, three black SUVs are already waiting under heavy security. Even after bringing me here, Raghav still isn’t taking any chances. Two more armed vehicles are stationed behind them for backup. The entire setup screams mafia-level protection…the kind I’m used to.
A bitter laugh escapes me. First, it was my father’s men. Then it was Samarjeet’s shadow following my every move. And now, it’s Raghav’s security. All my life, I’ve been trying to escape armed convoys, security details, and men who act like my existence requires military-level protection. Yet somehow, no matter how hard I run, I keep ending up right back in the middle of it.
Different mafia. Same headache.
Haider takes the driver’s seat while Raghav settles into the passenger seat beside him. Mom and I sit at the back while the rest of his men occupy the remaining vehicles behind us.
Nobody speaks as the convoy makes its way towards RK Estate. Beyond the tinted windows, the valley stretches into endless darkness, mountain roads, and pine forests. Fog slowly rolls over the valley under the night sky. The last time I was here, this place had felt so peaceful. But tonight, it feels like a cage I never agreed to step into.
I can sense Mom’s nervousness beside me, even though she’s trying to hide it. She has lived this life far longer than I have. She understands the unspoken rules of this world, the blood that comes with it, and the silence between power and fear. But this is the first time both of us are stepping into an unknown territory we were never prepared for.
Raghav Kundra’s world.
Not the redeemed version of him that everyone at RK Estate knew. But the man the underworld once feared. And she is no happier about it than I am.
My gaze instinctively shifts towards Raghav sitting in the front seat. His one arm rests lazily against the window beside him, while the other rests on his thigh. He looks so calm, as if yesterday’s bloodshed meant absolutely nothing to him.
I hate him.As if sensing my stare, Raghav’s eyes suddenly lift to the rear-view mirror and lock onto mine. His head tilts slightly as he holds my gaze with his usual arrogant intensity.
My pulse spikes with fresh anger, but I don’t let it reach my face. I break eye contact first and stare into the dark mountains outside, making sure he knows I’m not afraid of him. I’m simply done entertaining him.
The convoy finally arrives at RK Estate nearly an hour later. The sprawling vineyard property stretches across the valley exactly as I remember it, except nothing feels the same anymore. The cars don’t stop near the resort lobby this time. They drive deeper into the restricted area of the estate.
Straight towards his villa.
My stomach tightens instantly. The last time I was here, Raghav’s villa was completely off-limits. It was his private sanctuary. A place where nobody entered without his permission. Yet, even then, I remember there were no additional guards at every turn and checkpoint like tonight.
The place that once felt mysterious now feels like a prison.
The massive black gates slide open automatically as the SUVs enter. Sitting at the edge of the valley, the villa is huge and overlooks the vineyards and cottages below. Warm golden lights glow through the glass windows, while the dark wood and stone architecture give the entire place a dangerously masculine feel.
The SUVs finally stop outside the entrance. For a moment, none of us moves. Then Haider steps out first, followed byRaghav. I slowly help Mom out of the vehicle before looking back at the villa again.
And suddenly, one terrifying thought hits me.
This is supposed to be my home now.Because I’m his wife.
Beside me, Mom is equally silent and uncomfortable. Her fingers tighten around her shawl as she stares at the villa. His men immediately begin unloading our luggage from the SUVs while security guards spread across the property perimeter like trained shadows.
